COMMUNITY DIAGNOSIS AND PARTICIPATION IN WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION IN SHASHA VILLAGE

Abstract

The study examined and identified the major health problem of the people in Shasha village. These health problems were found to be diarrhoeal disease, skin diseases, worms in faeces, fever and haematuria. Those diseases were traced to physical, biological and behavioral factors characterized by lack of potable water supply and sanitary facilities, lack of knowledge of the relationships between water, sanitation and diseases and the adherence to beliefs, that militate against the use of pit latrine. The people willingness to participate in water and sanitation facilitation development was assessed. Besides their unwillingness to participate in sanitation programmes their responses for water resources development was remarkably encouraging. The educational intervention approaches included community organization to muster support for health facilities development, the improvement of knowledge and skills relating to the causes and prevention of the identified diseases and the dispelling of unscientific belief militating against the utilization of health facilities. Simple water extraction, and treatment methods that would render water from surface sources fit for taught. The people were educated through our visits, individual contacts, group meetings and group discussions with village leaders, opinion leaders, organized group and individuals. This intervention resulted in the launching of a gigantic water-bore-hole scheme, the digging of 14 new wells, financial contributions to aid water resources development and the development of skills in water extraction and treatment methods. The study highlight what important contributions that health education and community organization can make in the improvement of the health status of rural countries.